# Christianity reaches Japan (1549)

URL: https://christianity-history.com/timeline/1549-christianity-reaches-japan
Location: Kagoshima, Japan
Themes: Reformation

Francis Xavier lands in Kagoshima, beginning Japan's "Christian century". At this point in the timeline (1549), the Bishop of Rome was Pope Paul III (13 October 1534 – 10 November 1549).

## Why it matters
Christianity reaches Japan mattered because it carried Christianity to new peoples and regions, changing the map of world Christianity.

Pope at the time: [Pope Paul III](https://christianity-history.com/popes/pope-paul-iii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Christianity in Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_Japan)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Christianity reaches Japan](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Christianity+reaches+Japan)
- [Wikipedia — Reformation (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reformation)